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UK-EU Transition

References to EU regulation or EU websites in our guidance will not be an accurate description of your obligations or rights under UK law.read more

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Airworthiness

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  • Virtually all aircraft will have an initial safety certificate. The aircraft will then need to complete ongoing airworthiness checks and approvals. Aircraft with a single seat and microlight aircraft under 300kg are exempt from airworthiness rules.

    Certification

    The standard and type of certification varies depending on how the aircraft was built and what it is used for. Most recreational aircraft have either a Certificate of Airworthiness (this is most common for factory built aircraft) or a Permit to Fly (commonly for; microlights, amateur built aircraft or ex military aircraft).

    • Information on obtaining or renewing a certificate of airworthiness
    • Permit to fly

    Occasionally aircraft can move from a Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) to a Permit to Fly (P to F). This normally happens when the manufacturer of the aircraft no longer exists and there is no other body to support it.

    • Guidance for owners who are considering moving from a C of A to a Permit

    Registration

    Before an aircraft can be awarded a UK certificate of airworthiness or permit to fly it must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority.

    • How to register an aircraft, change ownership details and search the UK register

    UK registered aircraft with a fitted radio will need a licence for the radio equipment. For further information please visit our radio licensing section.

    We also publish guidance on the restoration and rebuild of ex military aircraft.

General aviation

Read all @UK_CAA

General aviation News

UK to revert to previous rules for Visibility and Distance from Cloud Minima for flying in visual meteorological conditions 28 January, 2021

Pilot fined for flying in and out of military aerodrome without permission 20 January, 2021

The CAA’s General Aviation Unit finishes 2020 with a focus on life after EU Exit 11 December, 2020

Read all News

General aviation Blogs

International Civil Aviation Day 7 December, 2020

How safe is recreational flying in the UK 25 February, 2020

Bringing ADS-B surveillance trials to airfields 1 March, 2019

Read All Blogs

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